2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Apr 27, 2024  
2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)

PSYC 210 Social Psychology (5 credits)



Distribution Area Fulfilled Social Sciences; General Transfer Elective
Formerly PSYCH 210

Prerequisite PSYC& 100  or PSYC 201 , with a 1.5 grade or better.

Course Description
A survey of the effects of social influence on an individual’s thoughts and/or behaviors.

Course Content
A. Research Methods in Social Psychology
B. Social Thinking: such topics as self-esteem, attributions, cognitive dissonance, stereotyping, prejudice.
C. Social Influence: such topics as obedience, conformity, leadership, small group dynamics.
D. Social Relations: such topics as romantic relationships, prejudice, conflict and conflict resolution, helping behavior.
E. Social Structure: such topics as how size, male/female ratio, age, influence social interaction.
F. Applied Areas of Social Psychology: topics in health psychology, forensic psychology, organizational psychology.

Student Outcomes
Knowledge competency areas

1. Describe concepts in social psychology (e.g. attributions, obedience, conformity, institution.) (research projects/papers, essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class presentations, class discussions, group activities, program proposals)

2. Explain main findings on topics in social psychology (e.g. classic studies such as Milgram’s obedience study, Rosenthal & Jacobson’s sex role studies). (research projects/papers, essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class discussions, group activities, program proposals)

3. Describe the influences group structure has on social interaction. (research projects/papers, essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class discussions, group activities, program proposals)

4. Apply concepts in social psychology to everyday behavior of self, others and current events. (essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class discussions, group activities, journals/reflective essays, program proposals)

5. Evaluate results of research in social psychology based on its methodology, relevance to theory, and relevance to social issues. (research projects/papers, essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class discussions, group activities, program proposals)

6. Identify judgments made in creating knowledge in social psychology and evaluate the impact of those judgments. (research projects/papers, essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class discussion, group activities, journals/reflective essays, program proposals, white papers-policy statement)

7. Evaluate research designs used to study social psychological topics at a basic level (e.g. the ability to achieve appropriate information). (research projects/papers, essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class discussion, group activities, journals/reflective essays, program proposals, white papers-policy statement)

8. Conduct informed observations of human behavior with awareness of the cultural context in which human behavior occurs. (research projects/papers, essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class discussion, group activities, journals/reflective essays, program proposals, white papers-policy statement)

9. Discuss personal experience that formed opinions and attitudes on class topics. (research projects/papers, essays in-class presentations, class discussions, group activities, journals/reflective essays, program proposals)

10. Generate potential social contexts that would provide a broader base for one’s opinions and behavioral tendencies (i.e. different past experiences and future opportunities) (essays, in-class presentations, class discussions, group activities, journals/reflective essays)

11. Identify the cultural and historical forces which can be attributed to shaping social psychological concepts and (research projects/papers, essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class discussion, group activities, journals/reflective essays, program proposals, white papers-policy statement)

12. Describe the main issues and ideas behind them that shaped the field of social psychology (e.g. the person-situation debate, lab/field methodologies). (research projects/papers, essays, objective exams, in-class presentations, class discussions, group activities, program proposals)

13. Appreciate and apprehend the complexity of human experience; practice thinking about the many factors that go into each person’s life. (journals/reflective essays)

Degree Outcomes
Social Sciences: Graduates analyze and interpret social phenomenon using social science theories and methods.

Critical, Creative, and Reflective Thinking: Graduates will evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and generate ideas; construct informed, meaningful, and justifiable conclusions; and process feelings, beliefs, biases, strengths, and weaknesses as they relate to their thinking, decisions, and creations.

Lecture Contact Hours 50
Lab Contact Hours 0
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 50



Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)